The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-06-10
TWO OLD HEROES MEET
AT The CELEBRATION OF THE
CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL
Day at StauntOn, Va.-Gen. Averill,
OF New York, the Orator OF
the Day.

STAUNToN, Va, June 9.-The largest
crowd ever seen in StsuntoD, assem-
bled today to witness the celebration
of the Confederate Memorial Associs-
ton. The chief attract ion was the
presence OF Gen w Averill, OF New
York, the orator OF the occasion. TIE
column wSs mile long, consisting Of
military and civil organisations, etc.
In q carriage drawn by four black
horses, rode Gov. Lee ard Gen. Av.
erill, and as they passed they were fre
auentIy cheered. After the parade,
speakiDg took place in the Opera
House, which was crowded to suffocs-
lion. Ia introducing Gen. Averill,
Gov Lee referred TO their long ac-
qusintsnce, beginning when both
we've boys at West Point, and
to their eubsI quent association
in the old army. Their commands
had met face to face in battle duriI z
the war that followed, and he WAS pre-
pared to testify that no braver men
contended on either side than ,be
troops commanded by that gallant ol-
ficer, whose warfare was upon men
and not upon helpless won en- and
children. In cloeing, the Governor re-
farred o the obliterstion of sectional
lines and the reunion Of the people,
as shown by the presence of Federal
general joining with Southern vster-
ans in hODoriDg Confederate dead.
Gen. Averill was ereeed with ringing
applause as he stepped forward, and
from time to time during his
speech he was enthusiast sticslly cheered.
Among other things, Gen. Averill
said: Where once outposts and
pickets were set to guard my com.
maDd against brsve and persistent
enemy, now stand alone welcome
guest. / thank God and you for the
charged conditions l have expert
enced every vicissitude of war, includ-
ing being killed, for / have been half
killed twice, but Of all the trump |
have ever erjoyed this victory OF
peace today is the grandest and most
satisfactory"
The speaker eketched the cam.
psigns q his district during the war;
touched upon the results of the war
and the valor and chivslry of the
South and related an anecdote OF
President Lincolh at the time OF the
latter's visit to the Army of the Pnto-
mac opposite fredericksburg in 1858
In the course of an interview with the
President, Gen. Averill showed him q
note from Gen. Fitzhugh Lee in re
gard to the wounded OF the latter's
command. The speaker continued as
follows: Then he asked: "Were you
and Gen. Lee fIiends?"
"Certainly," said l, always had
BEEN"
"What would happen" he asked,
should you meet on the battlefieldP"
"One or both OF us would bs badly
hurt or killed." 1 said, "obliged to be,
Mr.. President"
He leaned that picturesque and
moHrnful face on his hand, and after
a pause, said with emotion, "Oh, God,
what a dreadful thing is a war like
this, where personal friends mu t slay
each other aad die as his friends" l
told bin that Undoubtedly Lee
thought he vas doing his duty, aud l
knew that was doing mine"
YES" said Mr.. Lincoln, 81 under
stsud your feelings. but there are
many who would think that you
ought to hate each other"
Finally he said; "Gsn. Averill, /
wish you would give me this letter of
Lees"
"Surely, take it, Mr.. President" 1
replied; and l have been told by one
of his biographers that he carried the
note in his pocket for a long time, and
would frequently show it.
Brief addresses were made bv Gen
1, D Imboden, the Hon A. J. Mccall,
Of New York, and Carlton MCCARTHY,
of Richmond Both Gems Gordon, OF
Georgia, and Jackson, of Tennessee,
were expected, but neither came.